Sadio double gets Klopp back to win

JURGEN KLOPP’S Fab Four were back in the groove last night.

Kop idols Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho, Robert Firmino and Adam Lallana had not starred together at Anfield since they struck the right chord in the 6-1 walloping of Watford three months ago, which briefly took Liverpool up to the No.1 spot.

But they returned to their favourite stage last night to leave Mauricio Pochettino’s high-flying Spurs facing the music.

Mane scored twice in the space of two first- half minutes as the Reds secured their first Premier League win since New Year’s Eve.

It moved Liverpool back into the top four, while Spurs’s first defeat in 10 means they remain second, nine points behind Chelsea, but having played a game more. Klopp said: “Now we are back in this race and we have to use this game.

“We have to show that we are back in the next game. It was like the old LFC.

“I am not going to make excuses about what happened in January, but it is about rhythm, shape... and a little bit of luck.

“In the first half, we were really good offensively. Then we had to fight in the second half because Spurs changed.

“So I am happy because in this game we played and then we fought.” How Liverpool needed this. A wretched run had seen them slip to sixth and dumped out of both domestic cups.

But the Kop was a wall of noise before kick-off as Liverpool’s fans sent out the message that Klopp and his players were not walking alone.

And the home side were also given a huge helping hand by Pochettino. The way the Argentine had set his team up was perfect for Klopp to exploit.

Spurs failed to heed a couple of early warnings before their suicidal high-line was punished in the 16th minute.

Gini Wijnaldum’s pass enabled Mane to break through the middle and, although Ben Davies’ little nudge knocked the Senegal striker out of his stride, he still managed to keep his balance to shoot high past Hugo Lloris.

Ju st how much Liverpool missed Mane when he jetted off to the Africa Cup of Nations l a s t month was illustrated again two minutes later.

Eric Dier’s attempt to control a high ball on half-way was dire – and Mane raced clear to set up Lallana.

Lloris managed to beat away the midfielder’s shot and also Firmino’s follow-up.

But when the ball broke to Mane, his ferocious half-volley was unstoppable.

Mane could have had a five-minute hat-trick – but was twice denied by Lloris’ brilliance in the space of 60 seconds.

Simon Mignolet also played his part.

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